This week’s ATP 250 event in Kitzbuhel won’t feature any of the top players in the world, with #34 Martin Etcheverry being the #1 seed, but it will feature a lot of players who know how to play on clay and will do everything in their power to get some vital ranking points before the American hardcourt swing begins. The main star of the tournament is undoubtedly Dominic Thiem, who is playing at home and still trying, week after week, to recapture some semblance of the level that took him to the US Open title and #3 in the rankings. He won’t be in action in this first day of the tournament, but we should still have plenty of interesting, exciting matches. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 1 Predictions
Hamad Medjedovic vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: first meeting
Baez put up a good fight against Ruud in Hamburg, but he still notched his fourth consecutive loss and sixth in his last seven matches. Meanwhile, Medjedovic recently had an excellent run to the semifinals in Gstaad and had a very nice run in qualifying here in Kitzbuhel too. Still, Baez is a young, talented clay-courter who at some point will surely start getting some wins; judging by his performance against Ruud in Hamburg, it might well happen here.
Prediction: Baez in 3
Guido Pella vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: Pella 2-1 Carballes Baena
At his peak, Pella was a clearly superior player, but those days seem to be long gone and right now it’s Carballes Baena who’s the more solid and consistent player. At this point, he definitely comes into this matchup as a favorite, even if Pella still has the ability to get it done on his day.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in 3
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Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Head-to-head: Ramos-Vinolas 4-1 Varillas
The pair faced twice this year and they split two titanic claycourt battles. Another battle is expected tomorrow and it’s very hard to call this one; Varillas is the younger of the two by far and still seems to be ascending, making him perhaps the slight favorite here.
Prediction: Varillas in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
